Study: Bulls thriftiest with recruiting

Haven't been able to blog as much, as I'm with family in Reading, Pa., for my grandfather's funeral on Thursday. Should be back in Tampa late Friday, and we'll have a ton of updates next week as preseason practices begin Monday ...

-- Our Gators writer, Antonya English, shares a cool link to a study in the Chronicle of Higher Education, showing how much schools spend on football recruiting. According to the study, USF spent $468,813 in one year, which seems like a lot until you notice that Florida State spent more than twice as much ($946,356) and Florida spent three times as much, at $1.45-million. Even Central Florida spent about 35 percent more at $632,564. According to one site, USF had the lowest recruiting spending of any program in a BCS conference. I'd think USF's intense focus on in-state recruits helps keep travel costs down, but the Bulls are also remarkably efficient and selective with official visits.

-- Minor tweak to Tuesday's announcement about the Tennessee-Martin game -- kickoff is now set for 7 p.m., not 7:30 as originally announced ...

-- Number changes! Hey, video-game junkies, I'm here for you. Linebacker Marvin Peoples left long enough to lose his No. 42 to Kion Wilson, so he's back at the greatest of linebacker numbers, 56. Quenton Washington has taken No. 2, Theo Wilson is wearing No. 21, and Jason Fox is wearing No. 62, though I'm not sure what position that puts him at ...

Comments

[Blake]

My condolences Greg. Will keep you and your family in my prayers.

[702JV]

G.A. sorry about your loss.

jv

[Sandro]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Greg. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

[Terry Lucas]

Hang in there Gator Greg... Don't wish death on anyone (unless it's a stadium full of Gator fans). I hope your family remains strong during these trying times and remembers all the positive experiences from your gramps. Best wishes for a safe flight back. Thanks for the constant blog updates about my beloved university. RIP Mr. Aumun

[Brendan]

Stay strong Greg.

[Tom]

Thoughts & prayers GA

[Nickdelray]

My condolences to you and your family Greg.

[BiggTipp]

Very sorry for your loss

[Reality]

God Bless your grandfather and take care Greg.

[Mike Lakeland]

I am sorry for your loss, Greg. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Just a side note - my company has a terminal in Reading, PA. I've been up there a few times to "wine & dine" the boys there. If you have time, you should go to The River's Edge (it may have a new name though...). Good food, good drinks.

[Gurlybull]

Greg,

Sorry for your loss. You mentioned Quenton Washington at #2....is Carlton Mitchell staying there as well? Thanks!

-Gurly

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

[Steve Stacy]

Good thoughts sent your way
from all of us here today.
Sorry for your loss.

[Eddie]

Gurlybull. There is an updated 2 deep roster on scout. They list Carlton Mitchell as #83.

[KB]

Sorry about your grandfather Greg.

[G.A.]

Thanks for the kind thoughts, everybody. My grandfather was 93 and had been through some health problems, so it's something we knew was a possibility. Here's hoping we can all make it to 93 ...

I'm pretty sure Carlton Mitchell stays at No. 2 -- nearly all the low numbers have a player on offense and defense. As long as they're not on the field at the same time, you can have two players with the same number.

Thanks again for the kind words. It's actually through covering USF that I was able to see my grandfather the last time -- was up here in '05 when USF played at Penn State and drove over after the game. My grandfather's a good story all by himself -- left school at 15 to work in the mill during the Depression, served in World War II, ran his own printing house for 55 years. Figured out the Rubik's Cube (and wrote down how to do it) in his 70s, quit smoking at 80. He reminds me there's little you can't accomplish at any age.
Anyway, if there's a family member you haven't talked to in a while, pick up the phone, drive over and see 'em, all that. I'll be back in town tomorrow night ...

[Tom]

Take all the time you need Greg. I'll keep checking out your blog.

[j-dizzle]

condolences to you and the fam.. sounds like he was a cool dude..my day was incomplete yesterday without any blog entries.. just a reminder that in only 30 days the wait will be over!!

[Matt]

Greg:

Our thoughts are with you. And we appreciate you taking the time to update us even in this time of loss for you and your family.

It's that kind of dedication that I know we all respect and admire.

Matt

[Paisa el Toro]

Sounds like you're taking the right perspective on things, Greg. Take this time to celebrate your grand pop's life.

[Dave W]

I offer my condolences to you, Greg.

I'll be heading through Reading (that rhymes, by the way) next week on my way to the Burgh.

[steve oneal]

My condolences, Greg and very big thank you for all the hard work you do.

[Jordan F]

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Greg. He sounded like a great man. God bless, have a safe flight home, and we will be waiting for updates as soon as you are up to them.

[JoeB]

Sorry for your loss Greg, and thanks for the coverage this week while at the Preseason Conference.

I thought 83 was a new WR named Wilkins?

[Sanjay]

Sorry for your family's loss. God Bless.

[KC]

Our thoughts are with you and your family Greg.

[G.A.]

Thanks again. JoeB, I think the new walk-ons from this spring, Wilkins and Wilson, are supposed to be 83 and 84. Haven't heard anything to suggest otherwise ...